Caliper Mapping and Transportation Glossary

DEFINITION

What is an overlay?

An overlay is a procedure that estimates the attributes of one or
more features by superimposing them over other features, and
figuring out the extent to which they overlap. You use overlays to
estimate the attributes of features in a
map layer based on data in
another map layer.

For example, you can use an overlay to
calculate:

The total length of streets in a city

The population, average income, and/or number of
competitors near a potential store location

The number of hospitals, trauma centers, and other
medical resources around an earthquake fault

GIS Software for Estimating Overlays

Maptitude Mapping Software gives you all of the tools, maps,
and data you need to analyze and understand how geography affects you and
your business. Estimate attributes around point, line, or area features.